I woke up thinking "what exciting thing might happen today?" It's a gift, a joy, a relief, it's Grace to be in that place. The good news is, without dark times, we would not have an appreciation for the good thoughts I've lived with most of my life and am now living with every day! Thank you to all of those who stayed with me through my darkness. I will be eternally grateful! Let the Good Times Roll, bring on the "daring adventure"!
Here's my Quote for the day!
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.-Helen Keller
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Oh So True!
And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.-Anais Nin
Friday, March 24, 2006
Good Words
The human race has one effective weapon--and that is laughter.-Mark Twain
Good ThinkingThe Power Of Staying Positive
Our thoughts are not simply ethereal pieces of information that enter our minds and then disappear. The words and ideas that we think can shape our lives and drive us toward success and happiness or failure and distress. How you think and feel can have a profound effect on your ability to recognize opportunity, how well you perform, and the outcome of the goals that you've set for yourself. When you maintain an optimistic outlook and make an effort to harbor only positive thoughts, you begin to create the circumstances conducive to you achieving what you desire. You feel in control and few of life's challenges seem truly overwhelming because it is in your nature to expect a positive conclusion. An optimistic mind is also an honest one. Staying positive does not mean that you ignore difficulties or disregard limitations. Instead, it means spending time focusing only on the thoughts that are conducive to your well-being and progress. Positive thinking dramatically increases your chances of success in any endeavor. When you're sure that you are worthy and that achievement is within your grasp, you start to relax and look for solutions rather than dwelling on problems. You are more likely to imagine positive situations or outcomes and disregard the thoughts related to giving up, failure, or roadblocks. What the mind expects, it finds. If you anticipate joy, good health, happiness, and accomplishment, then you will experience each one. Thinking positively may sound like a simple shift in attention - and it is - but it is a mind-set that must be developed. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, try immediately replacing it with a constructive or optimistic one. With persistence, you can condition your mind to judge fleeting, self-defeating thoughts as inconsequential and dismiss them. It is within your power to become as happy, content, or successful as you make up your mind to be. Staying positive may not have an immediate effect on your situation, but it will likely have a profound and instantaneous effect on your mood and the quality of your experiences. In order for positive thinking to change your life, it must become your predominant mind-set. Once you are committed to embracing positive thinking, you'll start believing that everything that you want is within your grasp.
Good ThinkingThe Power Of Staying Positive
Our thoughts are not simply ethereal pieces of information that enter our minds and then disappear. The words and ideas that we think can shape our lives and drive us toward success and happiness or failure and distress. How you think and feel can have a profound effect on your ability to recognize opportunity, how well you perform, and the outcome of the goals that you've set for yourself. When you maintain an optimistic outlook and make an effort to harbor only positive thoughts, you begin to create the circumstances conducive to you achieving what you desire. You feel in control and few of life's challenges seem truly overwhelming because it is in your nature to expect a positive conclusion. An optimistic mind is also an honest one. Staying positive does not mean that you ignore difficulties or disregard limitations. Instead, it means spending time focusing only on the thoughts that are conducive to your well-being and progress. Positive thinking dramatically increases your chances of success in any endeavor. When you're sure that you are worthy and that achievement is within your grasp, you start to relax and look for solutions rather than dwelling on problems. You are more likely to imagine positive situations or outcomes and disregard the thoughts related to giving up, failure, or roadblocks. What the mind expects, it finds. If you anticipate joy, good health, happiness, and accomplishment, then you will experience each one. Thinking positively may sound like a simple shift in attention - and it is - but it is a mind-set that must be developed. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, try immediately replacing it with a constructive or optimistic one. With persistence, you can condition your mind to judge fleeting, self-defeating thoughts as inconsequential and dismiss them. It is within your power to become as happy, content, or successful as you make up your mind to be. Staying positive may not have an immediate effect on your situation, but it will likely have a profound and instantaneous effect on your mood and the quality of your experiences. In order for positive thinking to change your life, it must become your predominant mind-set. Once you are committed to embracing positive thinking, you'll start believing that everything that you want is within your grasp.
Monday, March 13, 2006
A month in the life!
Here I am almost a month later, blogging again. I don't do well with "structure" and choosing to blog daily just ain't my bag. So, I'll blog when I feel like blogging and will not let blogging become yet another responsibility. Check in daily, ya never know when I might have something to say!
Today, March 13, 2006 - I feel wonderful, look fabulous and the day is generally the best I've had in a very long time! Of course, as my fellow "hair" colorers will understand, just one short month away from having my hair colored and cut professionally, I colored my hair myself this weekend and, of course, it looks fabulous. That always happens when you are on the verge of a color and cut change! My pink pillbox looks marvelous on this head of mine! Can't wait to get the coordinating dress and shoes. Pink is my signature color! Black is a close alternate! Although, I'm also feeling a bit attracted to sunshine colors these days.
This past weekend was also a wonderful 2 days. I rested, didn't talk much and spent lot's of time happily alone. It's an amazing feeling to be alone because you enjoy it, not simply because you don't feel interesting enough or fun enough to bother others with you presence. The difference is astounding. I'm grateful to have had the experience "why would anyone want to be with me" so that I can now truly enjoy choosing to be alone because I like being with me!
I had a job interview this morning. More the kind of firm that I'm use to working for. The firm is small (5 attorneys) but has been around for 25 years. Beautiful offices, ok location, great benefits and stability, stability, stability. Don't know if I'll get the job or if I'm even in the running, but seeing that there really are places like that firm still out there, gives me hope for the future, whether there or somewhere else.
Enough from me for now. Blog Whenever!
Today, March 13, 2006 - I feel wonderful, look fabulous and the day is generally the best I've had in a very long time! Of course, as my fellow "hair" colorers will understand, just one short month away from having my hair colored and cut professionally, I colored my hair myself this weekend and, of course, it looks fabulous. That always happens when you are on the verge of a color and cut change! My pink pillbox looks marvelous on this head of mine! Can't wait to get the coordinating dress and shoes. Pink is my signature color! Black is a close alternate! Although, I'm also feeling a bit attracted to sunshine colors these days.
This past weekend was also a wonderful 2 days. I rested, didn't talk much and spent lot's of time happily alone. It's an amazing feeling to be alone because you enjoy it, not simply because you don't feel interesting enough or fun enough to bother others with you presence. The difference is astounding. I'm grateful to have had the experience "why would anyone want to be with me" so that I can now truly enjoy choosing to be alone because I like being with me!
I had a job interview this morning. More the kind of firm that I'm use to working for. The firm is small (5 attorneys) but has been around for 25 years. Beautiful offices, ok location, great benefits and stability, stability, stability. Don't know if I'll get the job or if I'm even in the running, but seeing that there really are places like that firm still out there, gives me hope for the future, whether there or somewhere else.
Enough from me for now. Blog Whenever!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Mia Speaks
Hmmmmm!
Going DeepSelf-Examination At Depth
There are times when life urges us to seek more. Small changes to our comfort zone may fail to alleviate any sense of stagnancy or frustration, and we may need to examine our lives and ourselves more deeply to find the right place to start. Everything we need for success and joy lies within. But so often, life's debris accumulates, building layers around our core that makes it difficult to access the truth that resides within. To reach the depth we wish to access, we must dive below these layers to the deepest parts of ourselves.The first layer can be found in our minds. Our to-do lists and busy work are usually less important than we think, so we must look past them to examine the thoughts that matter most to us. The next layer can be found in our hearts, where past hurts and disappointments can sometimes cover up our vulnerabilities, as well as the truth of who and what really stirs the love within us. We can choose to go even deeper - to our center. If we can go beyond anything has affected us to the point that it blocks us at the gut level, we can reconnect with our power, our raw instincts, our organic yeses. Here, at the core, lies our truth. Our core is our foundation that supports us and what we'd like to build our authentic life upon. When we examine ourselves to these depths, we are able to find what we wish to bring to the surface and what we wish to let go. When we remember what lies beneath our layers, we can look at what was floating on the surface, causing blocks and pains, and understand the purpose that they served. Oftentimes, it is the built up debris that causes us to go deeper, so we can search for the truth. Go deep, live life from your truth within, and watch your innate beauty manifest outward.
Going DeepSelf-Examination At Depth
There are times when life urges us to seek more. Small changes to our comfort zone may fail to alleviate any sense of stagnancy or frustration, and we may need to examine our lives and ourselves more deeply to find the right place to start. Everything we need for success and joy lies within. But so often, life's debris accumulates, building layers around our core that makes it difficult to access the truth that resides within. To reach the depth we wish to access, we must dive below these layers to the deepest parts of ourselves.The first layer can be found in our minds. Our to-do lists and busy work are usually less important than we think, so we must look past them to examine the thoughts that matter most to us. The next layer can be found in our hearts, where past hurts and disappointments can sometimes cover up our vulnerabilities, as well as the truth of who and what really stirs the love within us. We can choose to go even deeper - to our center. If we can go beyond anything has affected us to the point that it blocks us at the gut level, we can reconnect with our power, our raw instincts, our organic yeses. Here, at the core, lies our truth. Our core is our foundation that supports us and what we'd like to build our authentic life upon. When we examine ourselves to these depths, we are able to find what we wish to bring to the surface and what we wish to let go. When we remember what lies beneath our layers, we can look at what was floating on the surface, causing blocks and pains, and understand the purpose that they served. Oftentimes, it is the built up debris that causes us to go deeper, so we can search for the truth. Go deep, live life from your truth within, and watch your innate beauty manifest outward.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Mia Speaks
I start my day off, everyday, reading an email I receive from a "Life Coach." His name is Jim Spivey. Some days his messages speak to me, others they don't. Then, along comes a day like today when his message is so loud and clear, I have to share it. I've taken license with the message and the quotes and made them personal because I going to print this, fame it and keep it close as a constant reminder of what it's all really about. I hope it speaks to you too! Here it is!
A Simple Reminder!
"I must begin to understand that a revolution entails not only the willingness to lay my life on the firing line where I might possibly die. In some ways, this is an easy commitment to make. To die for the revolution is a one-shot deal; to live for the revolution means taking on the more difficult commitment of changing my day-to-day patterns, choosing differently than I have before in each and every moment." -- Frances BealHmmm... choosing differently. Choosing how and how often I listen to God for guidance, and then act on it in the moment, especially the most difficult moments. Choosing how I listen to my body - how I care for it, how I slow down to listen to its pains, how I act on that information. Choosing how I listen to and love my family, my friends and the children of the World- how I care for them, guide them, protect them, without them needing to beat me over the head with a club or throw a tantrum to communicate their needs. How to respond to them if and when they do beat me up when I clearly don't deserve it, and it's not really about me. Choosing how I honor and revere my parents, lifting them up to their rightly place in my life, regardless of how they treated me as a child, and how repressed I am about that, knowing that they did their best, and that I can now do even better and share it with them, thanks to their best efforts and the contrast with God's perfect teaching. Choosing how I act as a sister and friend, especially in times of great need. Choosing how I serve my community, reaching out to help others in genuine compassion, love, and support. Choosing how I allow money to flow in naturally to sustain (and no more) my abundant, healthy life, and then allow it to flow out to help others do the same, so that we all have "enough." Choosing my attitude in every moment. Choosing forgiveness when I forget that is the only attitude that works. Choosing my one true Master in each and every circumstance, especially when I’m struggling to be right. Choosing venues to show Him what I’ve learned from His Grace.
In my revolutionary life, what am I showing God I've learned from Him by my daily choices? And this doesn't mean what am I "learning from others."
Remember:"Many so-called Christians out there have what we might call a 'cultural holiness.' They adapt to the character and behavior patterns of other so-called Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. If others are pretending, then we better pretend. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be more like Himself, and true holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God, regardless of how people close to you are acting, behaving, speaking, thinking, ... or pretending." -- Jerry Bridges"There is no peace in the border lands. The halfway-Christian is a torment to himself and of absolutely no benefit to others." -- Earnest WorkerAnd one last thing; this is a stand that wears me out to think about. I struggle so hard with it. It is so beyond me, and yet it's right there. When I feel hurt, I so want to be justified in it, so want to be right about it, so want to get my way, and that accomplishes absolutely nothing. What do You believe? Where are You willing to stand in the midst of your pain - your right to it or your surrender of it? Choose now. -- Jim Spivey
Monday, February 06, 2006
Mia Speaks
Quote for the Day - February 6, 2006
Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Mia Speaks
Here are two of the Interesting Faces in my Life (and they have Great shoes)!!!!
I love quotes, poetry, good music and interesting faces!
My Quote for the day:
When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Following Emerson's lead, here's what I have to say and how I feel about my days at this time in my life:
When I first open my eyes upon the morning and look out upon the the world, I see a new physical space that I love, tree tops blowing in the wind outside my windows, and a "Willow Tree" that makes every day of my life worth living. I thank God that I survived to be in this space and time, I smile with gratitude for all the rhymes and reasons, notes and spaces, and wonderful, interesting faces that Grace my life. - Spicy
I love quotes, poetry, good music and interesting faces!
My Quote for the day:
When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Following Emerson's lead, here's what I have to say and how I feel about my days at this time in my life:
When I first open my eyes upon the morning and look out upon the the world, I see a new physical space that I love, tree tops blowing in the wind outside my windows, and a "Willow Tree" that makes every day of my life worth living. I thank God that I survived to be in this space and time, I smile with gratitude for all the rhymes and reasons, notes and spaces, and wonderful, interesting faces that Grace my life. - Spicy
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Mia Speaks
Mia Speaks
My Quote for the Day:
My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds.
-Mel Weldon
What's going on in my mind these days is the decorating of my new home. It's been many years since I've had new stuff. Most of my stuff was washed right out my front door when my house flooded in 2002. After a recent move to a place I love, I'm beginning again. Red is showing up like crazy everywhere I look, which is very weird since it's a color I've never had much of a relationship with, now I can't seem to live without it. As my friend Lisa says "Red is Pink all grown up." I've always been a Pink girl. After the last several years of my harvest being "weeds" I'm now harvesting "flowers" . Feast your eyes on the rug I'm hoping to acquire for my new living room.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Mia Speaks
My Quote for 2006:
Never "for the sake of peace and quiet" deny your own experience or convictions.
-Dag Hammarskjold
I'm going to shake myself up in 2006! I wish the same for you!
Never "for the sake of peace and quiet" deny your own experience or convictions.
-Dag Hammarskjold
I'm going to shake myself up in 2006! I wish the same for you!
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Mia Speaks
Mia Speaks
This morning, I wrote an email to my CoCo and I realized after writing it that part of it was how I felt during the holidays and how I still feel today, so here's today's blog!
This year is the first year, since I lost my Dad on January 15, 1998 (which unfortunately is CoCo's Birthday), while I still miss him every single day, the holiday season has not been overshadowed by those feelings of missing him. I have more peace within now then I've ever had before. On Christmas Eve I went to Church alone, I was early and had some time to myself, before the maddening crowd arrived. I sat in the sanctuary and reflected on all those that are no longer in my life because of death or otherwise. My Grandmother (the real Mother that raised me), My Dad, Judy, Steve Oaks, Bill Honey. . . just to name a few, and those that are not in my life by choice, mine or theirs. What I got from my reflections, is how truly Blessed I have been to have loved so very much and so many! "Better to have Loved and Lost then never to have loved at all!" During those reflections, I even got to a place of "No Regrets" with all that's gone on in the last several years of my life. I don't regret the Passion and Commitment I felt or all that I did to make things better in the world. I only regret that my passion cost me and others so much and that it got lost in a swirl of diminished mental capacities. But, I don't regret feeling all that passion, I don't regret being someone who is willing to March into Hell for someone I love or a cause I believe in. I know where to buy those asbestos boots now!!! If that kind of passion ever shows up for me again, I'll go with it with all my might, with those boots firmly on my feet! So, in my heart, I joyfully celebrate all the opportunities I've had to love and be loved and my hope for 2006 is to be even better about loving and allowing myself to be loved.
Amazing as it is, my true meaning hasn't even arrived yet. My Precious Princess Daughter and her Prince Charming will be in town on January 6 to celebrate, so I still have wonderful moments to look forward to. I may actually become someone who likes to "take" pictures don't think I'm to the point of wanting to have my picture "taken" yet. Maybe next year!
Happy Christmas and the Best New Year Ever!
This morning, I wrote an email to my CoCo and I realized after writing it that part of it was how I felt during the holidays and how I still feel today, so here's today's blog!
This year is the first year, since I lost my Dad on January 15, 1998 (which unfortunately is CoCo's Birthday), while I still miss him every single day, the holiday season has not been overshadowed by those feelings of missing him. I have more peace within now then I've ever had before. On Christmas Eve I went to Church alone, I was early and had some time to myself, before the maddening crowd arrived. I sat in the sanctuary and reflected on all those that are no longer in my life because of death or otherwise. My Grandmother (the real Mother that raised me), My Dad, Judy, Steve Oaks, Bill Honey. . . just to name a few, and those that are not in my life by choice, mine or theirs. What I got from my reflections, is how truly Blessed I have been to have loved so very much and so many! "Better to have Loved and Lost then never to have loved at all!" During those reflections, I even got to a place of "No Regrets" with all that's gone on in the last several years of my life. I don't regret the Passion and Commitment I felt or all that I did to make things better in the world. I only regret that my passion cost me and others so much and that it got lost in a swirl of diminished mental capacities. But, I don't regret feeling all that passion, I don't regret being someone who is willing to March into Hell for someone I love or a cause I believe in. I know where to buy those asbestos boots now!!! If that kind of passion ever shows up for me again, I'll go with it with all my might, with those boots firmly on my feet! So, in my heart, I joyfully celebrate all the opportunities I've had to love and be loved and my hope for 2006 is to be even better about loving and allowing myself to be loved.
Amazing as it is, my true meaning hasn't even arrived yet. My Precious Princess Daughter and her Prince Charming will be in town on January 6 to celebrate, so I still have wonderful moments to look forward to. I may actually become someone who likes to "take" pictures don't think I'm to the point of wanting to have my picture "taken" yet. Maybe next year!
Happy Christmas and the Best New Year Ever!
Monday, December 19, 2005
Mia Speaks
Purple bowls, Purple bowls, Purple bowls, what could ever be better then a Purple bowl, maybe the Purple bowl provider? Yep that's right!
Mia Speaks
Lessons, Lessons and more Lessons. Saturday I spent the morning helping my Mother get ready for a dinner party. For 48 years it was almost impossible for us to stay in the same room together for longer than an hour. Now, she calls me asks for my help, we chat like two school girls and giggle at things that only the two of us understand. If you have a difficult relationship with your Mother, don't wait 48 years to put yourself in her shoes, see what her world "looked" like and then see what you would have done. In other words, take your feelings out of it and try to be a disinterested party to her choices that may have hurt you so much! I'm incredibly lucky, that "Mother/Daughter" friction has never existed between Me and My Precious Princess Daughter, for that I will always be eternally grateful. On Sunday, again spending time with my Mother, while alone in the car, out of nowhere I asked my Mother if she had any regrets, what came next, I never thought I'd hear but, always hoped I would! She said "I wish I would have been nicer to Your Daddy!" I said, "Was he nice to you?" She said, "Yes." I said well, "all you have to do to get rid of that regret is to ask him for forgiveness." She looked at me like I had lost my mind (my Dad passed away in 1998). I said he'll hear you, he'll forgive you and you will be rid of that regret. After a few minutes of total silence, she looked at me, smiled and looked like she was years younger. My next question, "Is there anything you haven't done that you want to do?" Her answer, "No!" I was very happy to hear that. So, if you need forgiveness, ask for it! Clean it up now! You will feel better, look younger, be more receptive to giving forgiven, don't carry that garbage with you.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Mia Speaks
Mia Speaks
Well, ok, I'll blog! I've so enjoyed reading the posts on "Under A Santa's Moon" and "Love Them Anyway" I hope I can rise to that level.
Today, December 14, 2005! I'm a bit weepy. The weather is nasty, yesterday was a very trying work day and the holiday spirit hasn't hit me yet. So, I'll get move involved in blogging on a better day.
Well, ok, I'll blog! I've so enjoyed reading the posts on "Under A Santa's Moon" and "Love Them Anyway" I hope I can rise to that level.
Today, December 14, 2005! I'm a bit weepy. The weather is nasty, yesterday was a very trying work day and the holiday spirit hasn't hit me yet. So, I'll get move involved in blogging on a better day.
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